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Started making these dog bandanas because I was walking my dog out in the evening for his second walk of the day and I wanted something I could keep in my bag and just put on him as the day turned to night in Autumn and Winter. I wanted something to keep him a little safer and I wanted to be able to see him running about down the beach at dusk.

Then I thought I’ll make a few with some Alexander Henry Tattoo fabric. I thought it went quite well with the glow in the dark sugar skull fabric. I took them in to The Emporium on Saturday and by the following Saturday they had all sold! So I made some more, and have been making them every since.

Customers and friends suggested I use floral and polka dot fabrics. They didn’t necessarily have to glow in the dark. Now it’s spring verging on summer, I use bright colours and clashing sides. I have recently done a special commission for a customer, in some Robert Kaufman Pleasures and Pastime fabric.

I think he looks great! And the customer was super pleased too. I make a variety of sizes to cater for dogs of all shapes and sizes. I even sold one to a cat owner who’s gorgeous big fluffy ginger cat likes to frequent Five Ways in Brighton. And I have done a few specific orders for customers too! I can use different fabrics on request. These are available to buy from The Emporium at Tarmount Studios. Prices range from £3-£5!

Hello my name is Jess and I am the designer maker and creator of Cissie Edna’s fancies.

I love the 1960s and 1970s vibrant fashions, crazy prints and bold colours. The idea of finding a piece of clothing or some fabric from those decades is my idea of a good time.

A friend of mine once said lets go retro rummaging!

Be it at a car boot or jumble sale or in all the charity shops in town. You know the fabrics and the dresses and you definitely know that smell. That musky old smell. That vintage smell. And once I’ve found my prize, it’s a good day!

I hurry home to try and squeeze into it. More times than not I end up un-picking all the seams, and making it into some sort of women’s accessory. I used to do this just for myself, but I had so many people asking me where I got whatever it was that I had made. I decided to start making more, so I could sell them. Now I look for whatever fabric or clothing I can find to make accessories, not just for women but also for children, your pets and your home.

I have to be sparing with it, so I like to mix it up with really gorgeous retro fabrics. An example would be something from the Aunties Attic range from Robert Kaufman. It’s so cool because it really does look like 1960s or 1970s fabric!

So that’s what I do.

And these are examples of what I’ve made.

Shopping tote bags that are fold up neatly into their front pockets and zip together

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I copied the shape of a vintage mini dress I have to make this little number out of some retro Robert Kaufman fabric